University scores three short listings in national Whatuni student awards

Thu, 07/03/2019 - 12:30

THE University of Chichester has scored three short listings in the national Whatuni Student Choice Awards, it has been announced today.

The University is a finalist in three categories: Courses and Lecturers; Students’ Union, and; Student Support. Over the last six months, the Whatuni review collection team collected over 41,000 student reviews from 160 institutions and travelled more than 43,000 miles across the UK. The finalists in the 15 different categories will find out if they have won at an awards ceremony to take place in London on 25th April.

Compared to previous years, 2019 has seen the biggest review collection yet. Monisha Sooba, Project Coordinator of the review collection team, said that the scale of this year’s collection process kept her team on the go for a full six months. She added: “It was a busy time for us visiting campuses around the UK and talking to students about their studying experiences. My team and I found the work particularly inspiring, especially knowing that we’re contributing to helping students make more informed decisions about the right universities and courses for them.”

The University of Chichester is a strong performer in student support and experience. Its Students’ Union was named among the best in the country for safe drinking and well-being by the NUS. It is seventh overall for student engagement according to the 2018 UK Engagement Survey and in the top 10 per cent in the country for its learning community (National Student Survey). According to the Guardian University Guide 2019, it is 15th out of 121 universities for satisfaction with teaching.

Dr Mark Mason, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience), commented: “We are immensely proud to be finalists in three Whatuni Student Choice Awards categories. That we have these short listings stands testament to the commitment we make to ensuring that each of our students is treated as an individual and is supported throughout their time with us. It is also an affirmation of the superb work carried out by our Students’ Union.”

He added: “It is entirely fitting that we receive this news on University Mental Health Day. The categories in which we are a finalist are ones which not only ensure a superb student experience socially and academically, but that students are also appropriately supported at times when they most need to be. We are looking forward to see how we fare in April!”

Jack Greenwood, Students’ Union President at the University of Chichester, said: “It is a great honour to represent the student body, knowing that our students recognise and appreciate everything we do makes it all worthwhile. As a small SU we know and care about our students and do everything we can to enhance the University experience. Our close working relationship with the University is second to none, knowing that the Student Support team and academic offering has also been recognised is fantastic news. These are two areas that the student officers and I are passionate about.”